Life Time Membership Review: Is It Worth The Cost?

Discovering the right health club can go a great distance in serving to you hit your muscle-building objectives. In case you love the place you go and look ahead to the great tools and facilities afterward (sauna time, anybody?), it makes it far simpler to persuade your self to show off the TV, get off the sofa, and go elevate some weights.

However, nowadays, there’s an countless assortment of gyms to select from. Excessive-end with all of the perks, a middle-ground alternative that is extra wallet-friendly, and the barebones choices with solely probably the most primary tools.

If luxurious is extra your fashion, the most effective gyms and well being golf equipment is Life Time Health, a series of well being golf equipment figuring out as a “luxurious athletic nation membership.” Similar to a daily nation membership, Life Time Health carries a hefty membership payment.

Is Life Time Health definitely worth the excessive membership price, and what perks come together with that price ticket? Follow us as we focus on the ins and outs of the health club, so you may make an knowledgeable choice earlier than signing up.

Desk of Contents:

• What Is Life Time Health?
• Digital Fitness center Tour
• Life Time Health Membership Plans, Charges, & Areas
• Fitness center Facilities, Advantages, & Cons
• Actual Life Experiences From Reddit Customers
• How To Deactivate Your Membership
• FAQs

What Is Life Time Health?

Life Time Health was created by Bahram Akradi, a person who envisioned a well being membership that appeared extra like a rustic membership than a health club. In 1992, the primary Life Time Health membership opened in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. They slowly expanded within the Minneapolis-St. Paul space earlier than rising to different states.

The chain of well being golf equipment was established as Life Time Health earlier than rebranding to the shorter Life Time in 2017. They’re a public-traded firm on the New York Inventory Trade, buying and selling underneath the identify LTH (Life Time Group Holdings Inc). Life Time’s company workplace is in Chanhassen, Minnesota

The whole idea of Life Time is an athletic membership that’s designed with a rustic membership really feel somewhat than a typical weight room. Gyms are sometimes one-dimensional in that they solely have a weight room and health club ground with free weights and a few machines, however Akradi wished Life Time to be a facility that gives a number of providers for your entire household.

Every location incorporates an array of exercise choices, together with a full weight room, a gaggle health room with group health courses, swimming swimming pools (some embody each an indoor and out of doors pool), a basketball courtroom, an indoor tennis courtroom, indoor pickleball courts, and spa providers. Some places have further facilities equivalent to baby daycare providers, children membership, children academy health courses, a protein shake/wholesome cafe, hair salon, and social areas. 

Life Time Health amenities comprise a state-of-the-art weight lifting space full of all the most recent expertise and health club staples. As of late 2023, there are over 170 athletic nation golf equipment all through the US and Canada, with the common membership spanning 100,000 sq. ft.

Along with the health facilities, Life Time additionally has a number of luxurious residence residences hooked up to the health club amenities. One in all these distinctive residences just lately opened in Stamford, CT and incorporates 290 luxurious for-lease flats.

They provide studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom models starting from 540 to 2,000 sq. ft. Along with the 290 flats, there’s a 52,000-square-foot athletic facility and a ten,000-square-foot rooftop seaside resort. It additionally has a penthouse lounge containing a golf simulator, personal eating room, work-from-home area, bar space, sundeck, and pet space. Life Time plans to open extra of those distinctive luxurious residence residences. 

Life Time Fitness center Digital Tour

Earlier than we go any additional, take a look at a tour of the health club’s Frisco, Texas location. You will get a really feel for all its facilities, in addition to hear from a few of the health club goers concerning what makes Life Time so nice. And, if you wish to see how your native Life Time health club compares, you possibly can schedule an in-person tour here.

3 Forms of Life Time Health Membership Plans

In case you have heard something about Life Time, other than how extravagant they’re, it’s the excessive membership price. There are three principal classes of membership: Digital, Commonplace, and Signature. 

1) Digital:

The Digital membership is simply because it sounds – digital solely.

Though you don’t achieve entry to the amenities, this membership offers digital courses and digital coaching, dwell streaming courses, unique train movies, and packages.

2) Commonplace:

The preferred membership possibility, the Commonplace membership contains: 

• Membership entry to all golf equipment (in your value stage)
• Facilities embody the burden room, studio courses, indoor pool, and childcare
• Life Time Digital 
• Free One-hour session with Dynamic Private Coach (14+ solely)
• $25 Life Spa credit score

3) Signature:

The highest-level membership known as the Signature membership. Signature Membership contains every thing in the usual, plus the next:

• Limitless Group Coaching (GTX, Alpha, and Extremely Match)
• Early registration for courses, baby care, and summer season camps
• Entry to all golf equipment
• Free courtroom time for indoor pickleball and tennis 

What To Know About Membership Charges

Life Time presents a tour of the amenities earlier than you enroll, which you’ll schedule on-line. First, everybody has to pay an initiation payment after they be part of the well being membership. The becoming a member of payment relies on location however will vary from $49 to as excessive as $170. Life Time does provide particular promos all year long, the place they may waive the initiation payment. 

Membership charges are collected on the primary of the month which may be paid with any debit or bank card. Grownup membership costs rely upon the situation and might range from $79 to $269 a month.

The closest location to me in Connecticut is the Stamford location, which begins at $199 a month. In distinction, a few of the gyms in additional distance Chicago, Illinois suburbs are wherever from $149 to $179. It varies considerably considerably based mostly in your space. You can even purchase a one-day membership. Take a look at the Location Finder within the part under, and when you plug in your zip code, it is going to present you your closest gyms and value factors to check. And, in the event you ever wish to attempt it or want a health club whereas touring, you will get a day membership for $50 per day.

There’s a discounted membership possibility for youngsters and younger adults underneath 26 and seniors 65 and above. The digital membership plan begins at $15 month-to-month, whereas the “26 and youthful” and “65 and older” classes begin at $169 month-to-month. Some firms provide a company membership low cost, so examine in along with your job. 

The Seaside Membership is a particular membership perk that features entry to out of doors actions, though it solely applies to sure places. Out of doors providers embody entry to the out of doors aquatic heart, water slides, lounge space, and full-service bistro. 

Life Time Fitness center Areas

The origin of Life Time Health started in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and slowly expanded within the surrounding areas. Life Time Health may be present in 31 states and three Canadian places at the moment. To seek out the situation nearest you, take a look at the Life Time Location Finder web site. 

United States	Canada
Alabama	Ajax
Arizona	Mississauga
California	Woodbridge
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Life Time Fitness center Facilities 

Some of the well-known and hyped elements of Life Time Health is its big selection of facilities, together with its group courses led by proficient instructors. They provide lots of of weekly courses with numerous health sorts for individuals of all health and expertise ranges.

A number of the varieties of courses they’ve embody cardio kickboxing, yoga courses, Barre, Zumba, pilates, HIIT, spinning, and power courses, amongst a number of others.

The load room incorporates all of the basic tools you anticipate finding, plus the most recent expertise and machines. A number of the health club tools contains prime cardio and health machines from Precor, Hammer Power, and Octane Health.

Most places have a minimum of six squat racks, all of which have deadlift platforms. The squat rack areas even have a dip station, different attachments, and bumper plates. The rack additionally has arm attachments so you possibly can safely elevate heavy with no spotter!

The health club additionally has a whole dumbbell rack, in addition to preloaded barbells and EZ curl bars. You’ll benefit from the Alpha line of Life Time tools in the event you desire a CrossFit-type exercise.

In addition they provide Alpha courses, that are a CrossFit exercise that includes kettlebells, rows, and Olympic lifts you’d see at a CrossFit health club. Life Time Health has the right tools whether or not you’re a newbie or knowledgeable bodybuilder. 

The cardio space incorporates all the normal health club tools, together with a variety of treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, and stairmaster machines. In addition they have Woodway Treadmills, a novel treadmill with revolutionary expertise. There are a number of machines, so you probably would by no means have to attend for a treadmill. 

Whereas sure additional facilities range by location, each Life Time Health has a personal locker room with limitless toiletries, saunas, steam room, swimming pool, private trainers, and a variety of courses. Commonplace facilities in any respect places embody:

• Basketball courts
• Indoor pool (Some have out of doors swimming pools)
• Personal locker rooms
• Racquetball courtroom
• Sauna
• Showers
• Complimentary Toiletries
• Yoga Studio

One other key facet of Life Time Health is their lengthy hours of operation. Whereas the hours could range by location, my native location in Stamford, CT, has hours of 5 AM to 11 PM Monday by way of Friday and 6 AM to 10 PM on weekends. Any perk you possibly can think about and any kind of health class possible, Life Time Health more than likely has it. 

Life Time Health: Execs vs Cons

Let’s weigh the professionals and cons of becoming a member of Life Time Health.

Execs:

Here is what makes Life Time Health so nice.

1) Large Selection:

Probably the greatest issues about Life Time is that they provide many varieties of exercises and athletics. Along with normal weight room and cardio tools, you possibly can swap up by hitting the tennis courts, basketball courtroom, indoor pool, or a mountain climbing wall. 

Simply ensure you have a structured workout split earlier than going, or you could get misplaced in all the tools choices!

2) Extraordinarily clear:

One of many first stuff you would possibly discover whenever you enter a Life Time Health is how clear they’re. The whole facility, from the burden room to the locker rooms, are cleaned a number of occasions a day. You may be hard-pressed to discover a cleaner well being heart than Life Time. 

3) Little one Care:

For fogeys, discovering time for the health club may be almost unattainable between work, faculty, and different actions. Fortunately, all Life Time Health places have childcare choices to maintain your youngsters protected and busy.

Cons:

There’s so such factor as a very excellent health club. Listed below are a number of of the negatives of Life Time to contemplate.

1) Life Time Health Price:

There is not any getting round it – the value could be very steep for the common individual. The most affordable places begin at $199 a month, which is a value that the majority working-class individuals can’t justify for one month when you will get a top-notch health club, equivalent to LA Health, for round $40 a month or much less.

2) Problem Canceling Membership:

Some individuals have reported having issues canceling their membership. Sadly, Life Time Health doesn’t settle for telephone or e mail cancellation requests. You will need to submit your request on 30 days’ discover by way of their on-line portal. 

Actual Life Experiences From Reddit Customers

When studying real-life testimonials, the overall consensus appears to be that in the event you can afford it, then Life Time Health is a outstanding place, particularly if in case you have youngsters. 

The Reddit thread “Is Lifetime Health definitely worth the value?” has a mixture of opinions, however the overwhelming majority agree it’s best for households. Person MightyPez posted, “For simply utilizing the health club? Completely not. I feel the maths adjustments a bit, nevertheless, if in case you have children.” (source)

A number of customers are inclined to agree with the idea that having youngsters to make the most of the membership perks makes the associated fee much more justifiable.

Person hannfrank supported this idea, “The principle perks for me all revolve round their childcare. My child does camp there in the summertime (members get discounted charges), the free baby care whereas I work out, the swimming pools, and so they do free mother and father nights out as soon as a month the place you possibly can drop off your child for 3 hours, and so they eat pizza and do actions.”

Regardless of the glowing overview, she continued, “If I used to be child-free? I most likely wouldn’t pay full charges.” (source)

This makes excellent sense as a result of in the event you don’t have youngsters to fret about, a daily health club could be the more sensible choice. A serious figuring out issue is cash and in the event you can afford the value. 

Person ZezemHD posted, “Is it value it? Most likely not, however I like the way it’s full service.

• Infinite Clear Towels
• Free every thing you would want for cleansing conditioner/Shampoo/Physique Wash/Shaving Cream/Mouth Wash/Deodorant/Hair Spray
• Extra Clear Towels
• Diet Bar and Restaurant
• Total, a really clear health club and locker room
• Would not scent like BO like most cheaper gyms” (source)

Different individuals had comparable excessive reward for the amenities, reiterating that in the event you can afford them and can use them, it’s completely value it.

Supply: Reddit

Hypothetically, in the event you have been homeless, you would have a clear place to bathe with limitless cleaning soap and toiletries for a fraction of the price of an residence. The locker rooms are so clear and top-notch that you’d suppose you have been at a rustic membership, not a health club. 

Person CorpsmanKing posted, “Greatest spend of my life! It is not only a health club. I’m going within the morning to bathe & steam. In the summertime, I get a smoothie and sit by the pool. The worth retains off the health club bozos, and it is a clear and calm surroundings with top-of-the-line tools.” (source)

This consumer brings up level: The membership value will maintain undesirable members out. The worth creates a stage of exclusivity and privateness in an effort to really feel extra snug throughout your exercises. That is additionally helpful to finish your exercises in a well timed style.

In industrial gyms, like Planet Health, for instance, I’ve personally waited over 20 minutes for primary health tools. One other concern you don’t must take care of is individuals disrupting you by filming their exercises.

We now have all doubtless seen viral health club content material, or hopefully Joey Swoll defending individuals from such. In a rustic membership surroundings like that of Life Time, you don’t want to fret in regards to the issues you possibly can encounter at your native LA Health. 

All in favour of one other health club tour? Take a look at the YouTube video under titled “Lifetime Athletic Fitness center Tour | $150/month, is a luxurious health club value it!?” for an additional perspective on what the health club is like.

How To Deactivate Your Life Time Account

If you find yourself not having fun with your expertise, or can not justify the expense, there are alternatives for ending your membership. 

• Droop Membership Entry: In case you have been a member for a minimum of six months, you possibly can droop your membership entry for as much as 4 months, as soon as per calendar 12 months. To pause membership briefly, you possibly can convert to a Digital membership for less than $15 a month. A 30-day discover is required. 
• Inactivate Membership: In case you can’t use the membership for some time, you possibly can change your standing to inactive member. A 30-day discover and a one-time service payment of $10 is required. 
• Medical/Army Freeze: If it’s worthwhile to pause your membership for medical causes or a navy depart, you possibly can freeze your membership freed from price for as much as three months. Be ready to offer a health care provider’s be aware or proof of navy orders in the event you go this route. 
• Cancel Membership: If you’re seeking to cancel, you could present a 30-day discover. There isn’t any cancellation payment. 

You can even add somebody to your account each time comparatively rapidly. There’s a one-time service payment of $10 so as to add somebody to your plan, plus the month-to-month membership charges. 

Life Time Health FAQs

Let’s reply some regularly requested questions on Life Time Health.

How a lot is Life Time Health membership?

Membership charges range relying on location and membership kind; the common price ranges from $79 to $269 a month. The worth of the Stamford, CT location is $199 a month. If you’re underneath age 26 or over 65, you possibly can qualify for particular reductions, which deliver the value all the way down to roughly $169 a month. 

How do you cancel your Life Time Health membership?

You will need to present the membership with 30 days discover to cancel your membership and submit the applying on-line. 

Is there a household plan membership at Life Time Health?

No, there’s not a household package deal; nevertheless, you possibly can add one grownup who lives in the identical family, and dependents between 14 and 25. You possibly can add a second grownup at a 50% membership fee and youngsters underneath 14 for roughly $50 a month or much less. 

Is pilates included with a Life Time Health membership?

Sure, pilates and a number of other different courses are included with a Life Time Health membership. 

Can I exploit different places with my Life Time Health membership?

In case you have the best stage membership, you need to use different places. You possibly can add a number of membership entry to your membership anytime for a one-time service payment of $10. 

Life Time Health Membership: Closing Verdict

In case you ever wished to affix that ridiculous health club you see in motion pictures, equivalent to GloboGym in Dodgeball, then Life Time Health is the place for you. Life Time Health shouldn’t be merely a health club – it’s designed like a rustic membership and has a plethora of facilities.

The membership payment varies relying on location, however it’s positively pricier than most traditional gyms. For this value, you obtain entry to the best athletic amenities, together with a weight room, cardio room, yoga studio, sauna, basketball courtroom, indoor swimming pool, personal locker room, and racquetball courtroom. 

You possibly can expertise all the finest facets of the health club with the most recent tools and accomplish that with the utmost privateness and respect. And, this health club is especially fascinating for households with younger youngsters because of the big selection of accessible sports activities amenities and daycare choices.

In case you can afford the value and have youngsters, otherwise you would benefit from the big selection of amenities, then Life Time Health is your perfect health heart. 

Life Time Membership Verdict: In case you have youngsters or get pleasure from further perks and facilities, and might afford the hefty membership charges, then sure, a Life Time Health membership is totally value it. 

All in favour of researching extra gyms earlier than making a membership choice? Take a look at our article: Anytime Fitness vs Planet Fitness: Which Gym Is Best?

Photographs courtesy of Life Time’s Instagram